Photo of stretch marks making me feel really down.

[TinyStripe]

My mum just sent me a load of photos that she took of me a few weeks ago. In one of them in reaching up to get something out of a cupboard with my son by my feet. Lovely photo but my top has risen up and you can see my belly. It looks absolutely horrific. My body didn't take pregnancy too well. I was absolutely huge and I am covered in stretch marks which are red and scary still. I didn't realise my belly looked quite so bad though. I've been dating someone recently and he's only seen me clothed. I'm in tears over this photo and know that it's just loose skin and there's sod all I can do about it. I exercise, I'm slim and healthy. My loose skin is never going to go. Can't stop crying. What if the guy I've been seeing thinks it looks as horrific as I do?

If he thinks that he's not worth having around. Palmer's tummy butter is good, and they will fade, mine are silvery lines now and if DH ever muttered a word about them I'd castrate him

I have them and not had a single man bat an eyelid at them (after after me and my ex split there were a few) i still hate my belly 10 years down the line with the extra skin but I swear men do not notice them! The red will go down and turn to silver and you will grow to deal with them. I don't love my body but I admire it for all it has done and will continue to do for me.

If he doesn't like it then it shows what sort of man he is and you don't need that in your life. You can be honest with him and tell him it is upsetting you though? x

Men don't care about stretch marks. There are people who can recommend products to reduce them but I guarantee your bloke will not care a jot.

I always thought men were really out off by discussion about insecurities. Seems like a bad idea to point out the bits you don't like before you've even seen each other undressed 😅

Do t mention them whatever you do

My husband said men are usually so happy to see your tits they absolutely don’t notice the imperfections we do. He also said they’re riddled with the same worries

He'll be looking at your bum and breasts. Men are oblivious to much else.

Both my current and ex P (male) are absolutely covered in stretch marks on sides and arms as they had huge growth spurts in their teens. Doesn’t bother me at all.

I also work on the assumption that people will put you down enough without pointing out your flaws yourself so I wouldn’t mention them.

Don't mention them at all
If he does then he's not worth your time

@thehop my boobs Are two entirely different sizes so I hope that also isn't off-putting 😅

@TinyStripe everyone’s are love!

I’m fat and a bit minging. Fake it until you make it. Pretend you feel attractive and I swear it starts making you feel better. It comes across

I have had many operations over the years (over 20) and the thing I have found deals with scarring and stretch marks brilliantly is nivea cream. The £2 blue tub that you get in the supermarket. It was recommended by a plastic surgeon years ago and I swear by it. In my experience as a PP has stated, men don't care. Plus, I'm sure you are gorgeous.

My husband has stretch marks. I can honestly day they've never crossed my mind when we've been intimate and I would guess he feels the same about mine

I've never met a bloke who gives a toss about stretch marks. They're far more interested in other things.

Would you care if a bloke had stretch marks OP? It happens.

I have load, I hate them but no man has ever mentioned them, I don’t think they really care.

My boobs look like 2 dead squirrels just flapping around, I hate them but we do laugh when I jump in the air and they make a slapping noise on my flab.

Sorry that sounds really weird and random - I was just pointing out that post-pregnancy flaws come in many shapes and sizes.

Love yourself and be proud of your body!

Your stretch marks are a beautiful reminder of how your body changed to create a wonderful new life! I'm sure when the time comes he won't be thinking about your stretch marks, confidence and enthusiasm is everything. Live in the moment and enjoy each others bodies, and if he doesn't see your beauty he isn't worth your time. Take some time everyday to look in the mirror and notice what you like about your reflection, it will massively boost your self esteem when you are nice to yourself. Good luck!

Don't worry about it, he knows you have a child. Most mothers have stretch marks.
Put some fake tan on if it makes you feel more confident, drink a lot of water and moisturise well.

They fade a lot and men don't care.

If they are red the good news is there is a lot you can do. Phytolastil works pretty well. It will get better, they do fade, and you are worth it right now, whatever you do do it for you not for anybody else.

Aww don't worry. With my teen my stretch marks were red and angry for a few yrs.
When I met dh when ds was 9 they're still visible but white. Wide and deep.
I remember when I first got undressed I apologised. He coukdnt of cared less.. In fact 'told me off' for apologising
. I still hate my body I can't feel most of my stomach due to the stretch marks. But dh honestly doesn't care

Nor will your fella.. If he does he's not worth it

My babies were big. I have a loose ish tummy and stretch marks. When I met my fiance for a couple of weeks I didn't let him see my stomach but then I sat down and discussed it with him. He said so what?! I couldn't care less. You are beautiful and I fancy the pants off you. He has since said that if a man is put off by stretch marks then he is quite shallow.

They will fade, lovely. My body didn’t take pregnancy well either, I ballooned 2 sizes and can’t shift the weight and my tits were struggling before, but dear god! They are sad bastards now. But, we are our biggest critics and honestly any man worth your time is into more than just a flat perfect stomach.

They do fade a lot given time.
I know it’s cheesy, but it’s true that you did earn those strips! You’ve done something amazing, you’ve grown and birthed a whole human!

If your new fella is so shallow as to judge you by your stretch marks, he’s not worth your time.
Your confidence will return.

I'm 3 months pp my first baby. My partner recently called my belly a wormery. But fair play, it's not a bad comparison :') he doesn't give a toss! Nor should you. Any man that does isn't worth it.